Arkansas QB looking to expand on career-high performance against Alabama

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HOOVER, Ala. — Arkansas’ Austin Allen is one of just three quarterbacks who know what it felt like to pass for 400 or more yards against Alabama last season. Unfortunately for the returning senior, he’s also one of the many who experienced a good bit of frustration at the hands of the Crimson Tide as well.

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Allen passed for a career-high 400 yards against Alabama last season, completing 25 of 48 throws for three touchdowns. However, the 49-30 loss to the Tide also tied for another career mark, as Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted him three times, returning one 100 yards for a touchdown.

“You look at any game and say you wish you could take a few games back and it would have been a different game,” Allen said. “It’s a learning experience, and you try to go out there every Saturday and play as hard as you can. Sometimes, it just doesn’t work out for you.”

Allen returns as the SEC’s leader in passing, completing 61.1 percent of his passes for 3,430 yards and 25 touchdowns with 15 interceptions last season. After getting a taste of success against the Tide last year, he’ll get another chance at Alabama when the Razorbacks travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium this season on Oct 14.

Allen said he doesn’t have the game circled, but knows he will have to bring an extra amount of intensity if he is going to come out of Tuscaloosa, Ala. with the same type of success.

“Just how relentless they were, just how fast. They didn’t take any plays off,” Allen said of what he remembers of Alabama’s defense. “Their who D-line was full-go from the opening kickoff until the final whistles. That’s what makes them special and that’s what makes them so good, just how hard they play and how well they know their defense. It feels like they are always in the right spot at the right time.

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“...Just facing them the first time, Coach (Nick) Saban changes his defenses all the time, so you never know what type of defense it’s going to be or what blitz he’s bringing or anything like that. You know playing in that environment and just understanding how good to beat a team like that.”

Of course, Allen will still need playmakers to throw to this season. That could be somewhat of a dilemma, considering the Razorbacks will be without four of their top five pass catchers from last season. Departing will be Arkansas’ leading receivers Keon Hatcher and Drew Morgan as well as tight end Jeremy Sprinkle.

Fortunately for the Razorbacks, the lone key returner comes in Jared Cornelius, who recorded five receptions for 146 yards against Alabama last season.

“Jared was a tremendously talented player,” Arkansas head coach Brad Bielema said. “I think we did a postseason study and it showed he was one of the most productive slot receivers in college football last year with the numbers he had and the number of snaps he took. He’s a very confident young man. I think he’ll have his best year heading into his senior year.”

Another key factor will be keeping Allen on his feet. According to Pro Football Focus, Allen tops all returning SEC quarterbacks with an 111.7 passing rating with a clean pocket. While that’s good in theory, Arkansas guard Frank Ragnow said that’s easier said than done against Alabama.

The Tide sacked Allen seven times during last season's game.

“Well like everybody knows, Alabama has like cookie cutters for the NFL and they are also always talented genetically freaky,” Ragnow said. “One thing that I will say, bravo to their coaches. They are so technically sound and so smart, so that is what is impressive about Alabama.”

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